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19
NORTH METROPOLITAN TRAMWAYS BILL,
The Tramway Company deposited plans shewing proposed extension
of their lines.
The Company propose to construct new lines from the existing
tramway, in Grove-road, to pass with a double line of rails along the
Grove-road to the Cassland-road, in Hackney; also to construct
double lines of trains from Cambridge-road, in the narrow part of
Prospect-place, and single lines thence along Bishop's-road to
Victoria Park; also to lay down a single line through Sewardstoneroad
East and Old Ford-road, to form a junction with the tramway
in Grove-road; also to lay single lines of rails from the proposed
lines, in Prospect-place, along Bonner-road and Old Ford-road, as far
as Sewardstone-road. A deputation from the inhabitants of Prospectplace
came before the Vestry in January, and urged that laying down
the proposed tramways in Prospect-place would be a serious injury to
the trade in that road. At the same meeting, a report from the
Works Committee was considered, which recommended that, so far
as Prospect-place was concerned, the scheme be opposed, unless the
Company undertake to widen the narrow part of Prospect-place to a
width equal to the present widest part of Prospect-place, and that the
line be a double one throughout. As regards the bridge over the
canal in Old Ford, that the scheme be opposed, unless the bridge be
widened sufficiently to admit of two lines of tramway being laid down.
The recommendations were adopted. It was referred to the Works
Committee to carry out the resolutions of the Vestry when the bill of
the Company was brought into Parliament. In February, the Company
wrote requesting the Vestry to consent, as one of the local and
road authorities, to laying down the tramways described in the bill
which the Company proposed to introduce, and forwarding a form of
conditional consent as given by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
The Vestry refused to consent, unless provision were made for widening
Prospect-place and the bridge over the canal in Old Ford-road.
Subsequently, the Committee had interviews with the solicitors and
engineer of the Company. It being impossible for the Company to
acquire powers to enable them to purchase the land which would be
required for widening Prospect-place, or to alter the bridge, the
Company offered to insert clauses providing that without the consent
of the Vestry the Company should not lay down lines in Prospectplace,
or over Old Ford road bridge; and also that if, within three
years from the passing of the bill into an act, the Vestry, by themselves
or in conjunction with the Metropolitan Board of Works,